Googlized Contextual Design

Over the past decade, the topic of city modelling has been extensively discussed in focus-groups during meetings of the EAEA and eCAADe conferences, amongst others. Many attempts have been made to specify what information should be included, how the relevant information should be represented and how the models should be viewed and considered. Digital and physical models for urban representation share particular, similar properties, but also have distinct advantages. Digital models qualify for adaptability and ability to be shared in both a-synchronous and synchronous ways. Physical scale models excel in tangibility, directness and the ways in which they can be shared in a “natural” way. Recent studies have focused on mixing the advantages of both types of representational models. Digital models can be made “physical” by means of a 3D colour printer or other Rapid Prototyping techniques. Physical models can be augmented by projecting different digital data and images on them. Furthermore all kinds of post-production media can be used to refine, represent and share the model image